2011 Vantage S

[Gruff500]

Good day all,

First post in the Aston Martin forum but a long time PH. Have been in love with these cars for years and am deciding to finally indulge myself and have a look at a few.

This weekend I'm off to look at a beautiful 2011 Vantage S with 33k on the clock. I have grants amazing book and despite having driven a few (vantage, DB9, DBS) I am trying to still buy with my head as much as my heart!

From owners on this forum I would really welcome some advice to compliment the book in real life on things to look out for on this model - spec additions, clutch life, brakes, etc etc etc

Any feedback would be greatly accepted and hope to be a contributing member soon! ))

[HBradley]

Morning Eric,
Welcome.
I bought my second V8V, an S this time, in July 2016. They are epic cars, particularly in Sport Mode!! All the normal things to check when you test drive it (brakes, tyres, signs of excessive clutch wear etc etc).
I assume it's a SS? If so remember it's an automated manual NOT an automatic transmission. NEVER use the D button, the car explodes! (). It takes a little time to get used to, but drive it like a manual ie lift off slightly on upshifts & it really rewards, particularly on fast B roads.
Remember to post pictures WHEN you buy it!
H

[gibbon]

One comment i would make, if you would like a manual, and dont wish to spend the amount required to get a special edition n430 etc with a manual, then you should consider the face lift 2012 regular vantage, there are very few differences between that and the 's' at the time. The only difference really is a valve in the airbox i believe, and some interior stitching, all other options are down to individual car spec, sports back box, sports suspension etc.

I ended buying a 2012 non s as i preferred the manual, and was happy to keep the spare cash and not have an 's'.

Good luck.

[HBradley]

gibbon said:

One comment i would make, if you would like a manual, and dont wish to spend the amount required to get a special edition n430 etc with a manual, then you should consider the face lift 2012 regular vantage, there are very few differences between that and the 's' at the time. The only difference really is a valve in the airbox i believe, and some interior stitching, all other options are down to individual car spec, sports back box, sports suspension etc.

I ended buying a 2012 non s as i preferred the manual, and was happy to keep the spare cash and not have an 's'.

Good luck.

& an extra 10 BHP!

[gibbon]

HBradley said:

& an extra 10 BHP?

From the valve in the airbox and the backbox i believe good sir. Its entirely the same engine.

[HBradley]

gibbon said:

HBradley said:

& an extra 10 BHP?

From the valve in the airbox and the backbox i believe good sir. Its entirely the same engine.

Thanks, I didn't know that was the case. Every day's a school day!

[Big Ry]

HBradley said:

& an extra 10 BHP!

Don't forget the S came with a carbon splitter and defuser as standard, which make a bit visual difference I think.

[Gruff500]

gibbon said:

One comment i would make, if you would like a manual, and dont wish to spend the amount required to get a special edition n430 etc with a manual, then you should consider the face lift 2012 regular vantage, there are very few differences between that and the 's' at the time. The only difference really is a valve in the airbox i believe, and some interior stitching, all other options are down to individual car spec, sports back box, sports suspension etc.

I ended buying a 2012 non s as i preferred the manual, and was happy to keep the spare cash and not have an 's'.

Good luck.

That's a great point - thanks, and in comparison to 2012 onwards vantages with less miles it might look a little overpriced too so perhaps that's a bargaining area. I had read a lot about how improved the S was in handling etc. over the original but sounds like the facelift vantage benefitted from all these advancements too.

[Gruff500]

HBradley said:

Morning Eric,
Welcome.
I bought my second V8V, an S this time, in July 2016. They are epic cars, particularly in Sport Mode!! All the normal things to check when you test drive it (brakes, tyres, signs of excessive clutch wear etc etc).
I assume it's a SS? If so remember it's an automated manual NOT an automatic transmission. NEVER use the D button, the car explodes! (). It takes a little time to get used to, but drive it like a manual ie lift off slightly on upshifts & it really rewards, particularly on fast B roads.
Remember to post pictures WHEN you buy it!
H

Haha, thanks so much! Great points and good to hear you are enjoying it! Did you ever consider a 2012 onwards facelift vantage over the S?

[HBradley]

Gruff500 said:

Haha, thanks so much! Great points and good to hear you are enjoying it! Did you ever consider a 2012 onwards facelift vantage over the S?

Yes, I test drove both ('12 manual V8V & '11 SS V8VS), really liked the S, the colour was also a contributing factor for me.

[Rishi]

Differences to the 'S' over the standard Vantage (post face lift circa 2012)

Carbon Fibre Splitter
Carbon Fibre Defuser
Interior 'S' Styling
Titanium Exhaust (lighter & louder)
Quicker Steering Rack
Lighter Wider Alloys & Tyres
Larger Front Brakes
Uprated Stiffer Suspension
10bhp Power Increase
7-Speed Sport Shift Automated Manual - although I think this was taken over to the standard Vantage?

[jonby]

Rishi said:

Differences to the 'S' over the standard Vantage (post face lift circa 2012)


Titanium Exhaust

really ?

[HBradley]

jonby said:

Rishi said:

Differences to the 'S' over the standard Vantage (post face lift circa 2012)


Titanium Exhaust

really ?

Pretty sure it's not titanium!

[V8 Vantage GT]

Titanium exhaust only on the GT8 I thought?

[gibbon]

Rishi said:

Differences to the 'S' over the standard Vantage (post face lift circa 2012)

Carbon Fibre Splitter
Carbon Fibre Defuser
Interior 'S' Styling
Titanium Exhaust (lighter & louder)
Quicker Steering Rack
Lighter Wider Alloys & Tyres
Larger Front Brakes
Uprated Stiffer Suspension
10bhp Power Increase
7-Speed Sport Shift Automated Manual - although I think this was taken over to the standard Vantage?

Carbon Fibre Splitter- Yes
Carbon Fibre Defuser- Yes
Interior 'S' Styling - Yes, some stitches stripes on seat and door cars, same door cars, same seats
Titanium Exhaust (lighter & louder) - Nope, not titanium, same weight (give or take), louder, yes
Quicker Steering Rack - Nope, same, though the 's' and the facelift standard did both have a quick rack than pre 2012.
Lighter Wider Alloys & Tyres - Nope, see above
Larger Front Brakes - Nope, see above
Uprated Stiffer Suspension - Nope, was options on both for comfort or sport, same suspension options
10bhp Power Increase - Yes, see valve in airbox and exhaust, though i think it may actually just come from the airbox and only actual be present with 98 ron fuel and at the higher revs, though happy to be corrected
7-Speed Sport Shift Automated Manual - although I think this was taken over to the standard Vantage? Same on both, or manual on non 's', which was my point.

So we are back to, spoiler and defuser material, 'S' stitching, exhaust note and intake box valve and thats it, as i originally said.

The main thing is, do you want a manual or a sportshift, as this could heavily effect your choice, the rest is all options really.

[gibbon]

Added to say, if hp really is your thing, get a decat and add back that 10hp or so and sound, for £500, if thats your worry. Or spend £4k or whatever and have it up to 470 hp (i believe thats about right?) with a full new exhaust and manifold.

It would however, still never be an 's'.